Season to season, trees still break up Santa Ana sidewalks

July 30, 2013

Updated Sept. 2, 2014 11:29 p.m.

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Uprooted sidewalks from Liquidambar trees planted decades ago are seen along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. The shade trees have very shallow roots that damage the concrete. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Walkers might get more exercise than they bargained for along the broken sidewalks of Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. Some even walked on the grass to avoid the uprooted sidewalk. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The shallow roots of the Liquidambar trees have earned them a place on the unapproved species list; preventing any future planting in other residential areas because of the problems and potential liability issues they cause. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Some nearby residents think the beauty of the trees outweigh the upheaval it causes to the sidewalk. Liquidambar trees planted decades ago are seen along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Cracked sidewalks and some graffiti are seen along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. The shade trees have very shallow roots that damage the concrete. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Maria Salazar of Santa Ana strolls her daughter Daniella, 5, along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. In early 1990, city officials came up with a plan that would remove the trees due to damaged sidewalks. That program would have removed up to 95 of the 132 trees lining the street in the area. Residents, however, protested saying that the beauty of the trees' leaves give the area a sense of community. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Uprooted sidewalks from Liquidambar trees planted decades ago are seen along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. The shade trees have very shallow roots that damage the concrete. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Uprooted sidewalks from Liquidambar trees planted decades ago are seen along Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th and Fruit Street in Santa Ana. The shade trees have very shallow roots that damage the concrete.CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

There are 75 Liquidambar trees on Cabrillo Park Drive causing the problems.

The trees can grow from 33-50 feet tall.

They are known for their leaves, which change colors from dark green to orange, red and purple

The trees have strong, aggressive roots, searching out moisture in surrounding area.

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About Cabrillo Park Drive's trees

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Santa Ana has its own version of San Francisco's famous Lombard Street – or at least some of its sidewalks do.

On Cabrillo Park Drive between 17th Street and Fruit Street, the sidewalks are a series of hills, valleys and uprooted slabs of concrete, all because of liquidambar trees.

They were planted decades ago to provide shade along the street. But with time, it was discovered these shade trees have thick, deep roots that cause damage to the sidewalks.

Those destructive roots have earned the trees a place on the unapproved species list in the city, preventing any future planting in other residential areas because of the problems and potential liability issues they cause.

In early 1990, city officials worked to come up with a plan that would remove the trees because of damaged sidewalks. That program would have removed up to 95 of the 132 trees lining the street in that area.

Residents in the area protested, saying the beauty of the trees' leaves, which change colors throughout the seasons, gives the area a sense of community.

Because of that, in July 1990, the council approved an alternate plan to save the trees by shaving wild roots and filling the cracks with asphalt to repair problem areas.

Twenty-three years later, the trees remain, yet the sidewalks continue to shift.

Martha Nunez, a resident of the nearby Cabrillo Park Townhomes for more than 10 years, said, “The city keeps saying there's no money to do anything, but I think it's time for the sidewalks to be fixed.”

The city has a repair contract which allots about $250,000 for sidewalk repair throughout the city. According to Raul Godinez, executive director of Public Works for the city, fixing all the sidewalks on Cabrillo Street is estimated at $400,000. He also said if a complaint is lodged, officials will repair a problem area.

“If the tree is not on the approved species list, and they ask for it, and there's damage, like to the property, we will remove it.” Godinez said.

More than a year ago, two commercial properties on South Cabrillo Park Drive requested and had 18 trees removed near their businesses to prevent possible liability issues.

While businesses can choose to remove trees as a preventative measure, no claims of a trip-and-fall have been filed according to city records, Godinez said.

The city continues to periodically repair sidewalks and shave down concrete in areas that have become elevated, but the bumps and small hills still make everyday activities, such as walking with a stroller, a challenge.

“It makes it hard for when I walk with my son since the bumps make him wake up when he's sleeping,” says Jamie Clevenger, a young mother who lives in the area.

But still others feel the beauty outweighs the problems.

Nunez said she loves the beauty of the leaves changing colors on the liquidambar trees and the shade they provide.

“I know when strangers drive by here,” she said. “They notice how beautiful this area is because of the trees.”

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